By H, KNA
Following the resumption of the continuous voter registration by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), 90,020 people were listed in the first month.
The registration drive, which kicked off on September 29, is progressing slowly, making it challenging for the commission to meet its six-million target. Providing a one-month status update on Monday, the IEBC reported that by October 31st, its 290 constituency offices had recorded 15,619 voter transfers and 188 updates.
Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos accounted for the highest number of new registrants, leading the country with 16,512, 9,917, and 4,026 newly registered voters, respectively.
Relatively high numbers were also recorded in other counties: Mombasa (3,967), Kitui (3,552), Murang’a (3,330), Nakuru (3,625), Meru (3,128), Kakamega (2,681), Kisii (2,366), Bungoma (2,351), and Kisumu (2,287). At the bottom of the list was Tana River County, which registered the lowest turnout with just 130 new voters.
A large number of counties recorded fewer than 1,000 new registrants. These include Mandera (965), Nandi (928), Taita Taveta (892), Nyandarua (828), Laikipia (739), Kericho (734), Tharaka Nithi (652), West Pokot (639), Garissa (600), Narok (504), Lamu (417), Nyamira (376), Turkana (363), Elgeyo Marakwet (330), Samburu (319), Isiolo (312), and Marsabit (284).
Nairobi also led in voter transfers, accounting for 5,388 of the 15,619 total transfers recorded.
In a statement, IEBC Chairperson Mr. Erastus Ethekon stated that the commission had noted steady progress as citizens registered as new voters, transferred their registration to preferred polling stations and updated their details.
The commission initially aimed to enlist 6.3 million new voters during the exercise. Of that total target, Mr. Ethekon noted that they anticipated the youth would account for 70 per cent of the registrations.
He urged all stakeholders including political parties, civil society, faith-based organizations and the media to support the national exercise by encouraging citizens to register, verify.
The IEBC is conducting the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise in all constituency offices, with the exception of 24 electoral areas scheduled for by-elections on November 27. During the CVR, voters can access services such as new registration, correction or update of details, transfer of registration to a new polling station or constituency, and verification of voter information.
Registration eligibility requires an individual to be a Kenyan citizen aged 18 or older with a valid national ID or passport. Applicants must also not be previously registered, have no election-related conviction in the last five years, and not be legally declared of unsound mind.